First CDMA/GSM BlackBerry Smartphone, Coupled with Always-On Global E-Mail and 24/7 Help Desk, Keeps Travelers Connected In More Than 60 Countries
Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM: TSX: RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, today introduced the first Global CDMA/GSM BlackBerry®. The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone will be available on May 14 through Verizon Wireless' business sales channels and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on May 28.
In addition, Verizon Wireless announced the May 14 availability of its new Global BlackBerry service, an "always-on, always connected" wireless e-mail solution that provides quick, easy access to e-mail, contacts, calendar, organizer and the Web while on-the-go. With the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone and Global BlackBerry service from Verizon Wireless, customers get wireless e-mail and the convenience of one local number for domestic and international use in Australia, Europe, parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North America.
Verizon Wireless' new Global BlackBerry service allows customers to place and receive voice calls from more than 150 countries and send and receive e-mails in the United States, Canada and more than 60 countries worldwide. With Global BlackBerry service, Verizon Wireless customers receive the Global Support Pack, which includes a SIM card, a user reference guide and details on accessing the Global Help Desk for 24-hour customer support, seven days a week. Customers also receive a calling card for free support calls while traveling outside of the U.S. from any landline phone to technical support if the BlackBerry 8830 is lost, broken or stolen.
"The BlackBerry 8830 with Verizon Wireless' Global BlackBerry service will set a new standard for global wireless service," said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon Wireless. "Customers leave the U.S. with the ultimate productivity tool enhanced by a service and support package they won't find anywhere else in the industry. This is the gold standard for the international enterprise, and with its unique blend of form, function and value, we expect this device to quickly become our top selling BlackBerry for domestic use as well."
"The BlackBerry 8830 is built on an exciting new device platform that combines CDMA and GSM/GPRS roaming support with the latest in industrial design and functional innovations," said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-chief executive officer at Research In Motion. "This innovative and stylish smartphone includes all the benefits that users have come to love about the BlackBerry solution along with a compelling new global service from Verizon Wireless."
The BlackBerry 8830 provides an international option for enterprise customers of all Verizon Business groups. The Verizon branded companies offer customers a portfolio of wired and wireless solutions inclusive of the recently announced BroadbandAccess Router Service.
Features and Pricing for the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone and Global BlackBerry Service
The new BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone packs the latest features into a stylish global device and offers the following capabilities and features:
. EV-DO/GPRS network connection for high-speed data transfer in more than 60 countries
. GSM/GPRS (900/1800 MHz) for continued voice and e-mail while traveling internationally
. Auto-selection of CDMA/GSM Mode
. Thin form factor of just 14mm for both style and easy handling
. New Trackball navigation system
. Media player
. Expandable memory option with microSDT card (sold separately)
. Speakerphone
. Bluetooth® capabilities for certain profiles inclusive of hands-free, dial-up networking and serial port
. Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD)
. Instant Messaging capabilities for quick and easy communication
The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone will be available in May for $299.99 after a $100 rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the purchase of the device is available for customers who sign up for qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase.
Customers signing up for Global BlackBerry service will get unlimited e-mail in the United States, Canada and more than 60 countries worldwide for $64.99 monthly access with a qualifying voice plan, or for $69.99 monthly access without a voice plan. Customers can also add a "Pay As You Go" data feature to any qualifying voice plan for an additional $20 per Megabyte. Customers wanting to use the BlackBerry 8830 for e-mail solely in the U.S. may opt for an unlimited e-mail plan beginning at $49.99 monthly access.
Customers may request more information on the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone and Global BlackBerry service from Verizon Wireless at www.verizonwireless.com/global. For more information on BlackBerry devices from Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com/blackberry. Business customers should contact a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4-BIZ.
These are my mobile phone principles. If you don't like them, I have others.
Without logic, reason is useless. With it, you can win arguments and alienate multitudes.
Research In Motion Ltd. and Verizon Wireless today plan to announce the launch of a BlackBerry "World Edition" smart phone that enables Verizon customers to roam on overseas networks thanks to a dual-mode chip that is compatible with both Verizon's technology and wireless technology prevalent overseas.
The device, which will cost $299.99 with a two-year contract after a $100 rebate starting May 14 online and May 28 in stores, is aimed at solving a strategic issue for Verizon Wireless: Its customers generally can't use their cellphones abroad because Verizon's network is built on a wireless technology used mostly in North America, known as CDMA.
The most popular global wireless standard is GSM, a standard that in the U.S. is used by AT&T Inc., Verizon's chief competitor.
The new BlackBerry 8830 is part of Verizon's push to appeal to international travelers with a device that is more or less identical with a device already popular with business users.
Verizon Wireless, which is jointly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, offers three phones that can switch between CDMA and GSM technology, but such devices haven't gained much traction. Some lack keyboards for email use and they carry price tags of between $350 and $600 with a two-year-contracts.
The new silver-colored, dual-mode BlackBerry, which detects and switches between the rival technologies automatically, resembles the BlackBerry 8800 recently launched on AT&T and T-Mobile USA networks, with a full keyboard, a media player and trackball navigation. T-Mobile is owned by Deutsche Telekom AG.
Verizon is bundling the launch with the announcement of new international data plans, offering unlimited international data plans for $69.99 a month or $64.99 a month if you also buy a voice plan. Previously, the company's international data plans were less streamlined, charging per megabyte of data in some areas.
The new device also deepens Verizon's relationship with RIM at a time when both are trying to stave off the threat of the Apple Inc.'s iPhone, which will be offered exclusively through AT&T this summer. The BlackBerry runs on Verizon's high-speed data network in the U.S. and includes a music and video player.
Seems RIM has updated their site too in regards to the 8830. It's mentioning that it should have GPS features. As long as they don't cripple that, I just might be waiting in line at May 28th (my NE2 becomes available on that day ... funny).
Sounds like you won't be able to put in and use a local (and cheap) SIM card when out of the U.S.
True?
Did some more digging and that seems like the case. I believe Verizon has never "unlocked" their CDMA/GSM hybrids in their Global line to take advantage of cheaper local SIMs. Somewhat of a shame really since it'll be nice to have a local number available when traveling.
Oh well, I'm still on the wait-and-see fence to see what Verizon does with this phone since I doubt I'll ever end up on Sprint (had the carrier before and this would be the last carrier I'd ever go back to).
Now what are the chances someone will figure out a way to unlock the 8830 to use local non-verizon SIMs so that you can use VZW for voice on the device and my tmobile account for BBE-Mail usage. Now THAT would be a killer device.
Customers signing up for Global BlackBerry service will get unlimited e-mail in the United States, Canada and more than 60 countries worldwide for $64.99 monthly access with a qualifying voice plan, or for $69.99 monthly access without a voice plan. Customers can also add a “Pay As You Go” data feature to any qualifying voice plan for an additional $20 per Megabyte. Customers wanting to use the BlackBerry 8830 for e-mail solely in the U.S. may opt for an unlimited e-mail plan beginning at $49.99 monthly access.
The higher data plans are if you want data overseas.
Will the current Blackberry 10mb plan still be in effect? I don't see why I should pay more per month to do the same thing with the 8830 that I do with my 7130e.
Did some more digging and that seems like the case. I believe Verizon has never "unlocked" their CDMA/GSM hybrids in their Global line to take advantage of cheaper local SIMs.
Not that I agree with it, but they do this because they are part owned by Vodafone.
Sounds like you won't be able to put in and use a local (and cheap) SIM card when out of the U.S.
True?
I was able to answer my own question..
Well folks, VZW did it to us again!! THEY CRIPPLED YET ANOTHER PHONE. FOR THIS ONE THEY LOCKED DOWN THE GSM CAPABILITIES SO YOU CAN'T MAKE/RECEIVE INEXPENSIVE INTERNATIONAL CALLS ABROAD USING A LOCAL SIM CARD. Hopefully someone somewhere will be able to hack it. But, don't bet on it.
NEW YORK - Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. are introducing a BlackBerry e-mail phone that's compatible with the cellular technology more common in other countries in addition to the standard used on their own U.S. networks.
One key difference between the Verizon and Sprint versions of the new BlackBerry 8830 is that Sprint's will be "unlocked," enabling customers who take the device abroad to buy wireless service in other countries through other carriers. Verizon's 8830 is locked so that it can only be used overseas through Verizon's roaming service.
The new phone is a variant of the 8800 line introduced in February by BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. through AT&T Inc.
The list price is $400, but Verizon will be offering it starting next month for as little as $200 for customers who sign up for both voice and data service with a two-year commitment. Sprint, which won't start selling its 8830 until July, didn't disclose pricing. A spokeswoman said it will be competitive with Verizon's device.
The BlackBerry is being rolled out by Verizon with an international data plan costing $20 per month for unlimited e-mail access in about 60 countries on top of the regular BlackBerry subscription fee of $45 to $50 a month. Occasional travelers can opt to pay as they go for their data usage. The device also can be used as a phone in more than 150 countries at a cost of $1.29 or $2.49 per minute, depending on the market.(FYI, Just to give you a frame-of-reference...using a local SIM card you can make calls to the US or locally for .01 to.02 in India and around .05 in China.)
RIM developed the dual-mode capability to suit Verizon's and Sprint's circumstances.
Both companies use what some experts consider a superior wireless technology known as CDMA. But the vast majority of the world's cellular networks run on a standard called GSM.
As a result, where GSM-based carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile USA can easily offer phones that work overseas, Verizon and Sprint haven't had many options for their customers who travel abroad.
Though a dual-mode phone is an obvious solution, the drawback is the cost of adding more complex components and the engineering challenge of jamming them into a handheld device without making it bulky.
RIM overcame the second hurdle, squeezing in the dual capabilities without increasing the 8800's size.
Verizon, meanwhile, appears to have addressed the cost problem by offering a steep discount — a point driven home by its decision to "lock" the device, preventing users from using it with a rival carrier's service abroad.
It's undisclosed how much RIM is charging Verizon for each device. But after the assorted discounts, Verizon's 8830 is being offered for $100 less than AT&T's GSM-only version. In fact, the 8830 from Verizon and Sprint is also equipped with a speedier technology for wireless Internet access than AT&T's version.
Verizon said it locked the new BlackBerry as part of its emphasis on ensuring network quality for customers, this time outside the United States.
But that policy disables one of the most popular attributes of GSM phones, all of which feature a slot for a removable, postage-stamp sized card that stores a user's account information.
The ability to remove that card, called a SIM, enables a user to buy multiple GSM phones and use whichever one suits the occasion.
More importantly in this case, GSM also enables a traveler to use a single phone, but buy wireless service from different providers in different countries. Then, by slipping the appropriate SIM into the phone in a given country, the user can cut back on the steep international roaming fees charged by carriers.
Vodafone Group PLC, which owns 45 percent of Verizon Wireless, will be providing much of the overseas roaming service for Verizon's 8830. So by locking the BlackBerry 8830 to only work with a Verizon SIM, those two companies will be sure to capture the revenue from any calls made with the device from another country.
Gotta tell 'ya, the iPhone and a switch to AT&T is looking more likely each day. I know VZW has a great network, but it's always one thing after another with VZW. I hope all the migration to AT&T will finally wake them up.
It Is Crippled For Inexpensive International GSM Use.
Well folks, VZW did it to us again!! IT IS CRIPPLED FOR INTERNATIONAL USE. They locked down the GSM capabilities. Hopefully someone somewhere will hack it.
NEW YORK - Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. are introducing a BlackBerry e-mail phone that's compatible with the cellular technology more common in other countries in addition to the standard used on their own U.S. networks.
One key difference between the Verizon and Sprint versions of the new BlackBerry 8830 is that Sprint's will be "unlocked," enabling customers who take the device abroad to buy wireless service in other countries through other carriers. Verizon's 8830 is locked so that it can only be used overseas through Verizon's roaming service.
The new phone is a variant of the 8800 line introduced in February by BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. through AT&T Inc.
The list price is $400, but Verizon will be offering it starting next month for as little as $200 for customers who sign up for both voice and data service with a two-year commitment. Sprint, which won't start selling its 8830 until July, didn't disclose pricing. A spokeswoman said it will be competitive with Verizon's device.
The BlackBerry is being rolled out by Verizon with an international data plan costing $20 per month for unlimited e-mail access in about 60 countries on top of the regular BlackBerry subscription fee of $45 to $50 a month. Occasional travelers can opt to pay as they go for their data usage. The device also can be used as a phone in more than 150 countries at a cost of $1.29 or $2.49 per minute, depending on the market. (FYI, Just to give you a frame-of-reference...using a local SIM card you can make calls to the US or locally for .01 to.02 in India and around .05 in China.)
RIM developed the dual-mode capability to suit Verizon's and Sprint's circumstances.
Both companies use what some experts consider a superior wireless technology known as CDMA. But the vast majority of the world's cellular networks run on a standard called GSM.
As a result, where GSM-based carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile USA can easily offer phones that work overseas, Verizon and Sprint haven't had many options for their customers who travel abroad.
Though a dual-mode phone is an obvious solution, the drawback is the cost of adding more complex components and the engineering challenge of jamming them into a handheld device without making it bulky.
RIM overcame the second hurdle, squeezing in the dual capabilities without increasing the 8800's size.
Verizon, meanwhile, appears to have addressed the cost problem by offering a steep discount — a point driven home by its decision to "lock" the device, preventing users from using it with a rival carrier's service abroad.
It's undisclosed how much RIM is charging Verizon for each device. But after the assorted discounts, Verizon's 8830 is being offered for $100 less than AT&T's GSM-only version. In fact, the 8830 from Verizon and Sprint is also equipped with a speedier technology for wireless Internet access than AT&T's version.
Verizon said it locked the new BlackBerry as part of its emphasis on ensuring network quality for customers, this time outside the United States.
But that policy disables one of the most popular attributes of GSM phones, all of which feature a slot for a removable, postage-stamp sized card that stores a user's account information.
The ability to remove that card, called a SIM, enables a user to buy multiple GSM phones and use whichever one suits the occasion.
More importantly in this case, GSM also enables a traveler to use a single phone, but buy wireless service from different providers in different countries. Then, by slipping the appropriate SIM into the phone in a given country, the user can cut back on the steep international roaming fees charged by carriers.
Vodafone Group PLC, which owns 45 percent of Verizon Wireless, will be providing much of the overseas roaming service for Verizon's 8830. So by locking the BlackBerry 8830 to only work with a Verizon SIM, those two companies will be sure to capture the revenue from any calls made with the device from another country.
Gotta tell 'ya, the iPhone and a switch to AT&T is looking better each day. I know VZW has a great network but it's always one thing after another with VZW
major suxors. even when i went to london and used my t-mobile roaming it was cheaper than verizons roaming (about $1 a minute....expensive, but still cheaper)
RIM 8830 Global Phone (Cyclone) Launch 5-14-07
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Originally Posted by kenstee
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